On the politics, on this being linked to Modi's speech at the SRCC, even if by chance this is in response, just by chance, one thing that stands out as a definite, Modi is far more self assured, far more convincing, and no matter what the government's motive behind hanging, Modi's image as someone who has delivered the goods in Gujarat remains unquestionable.
On Pranab Mukherjee's role, forget that it was all his doing, all alone, it is not how the politics in India works, and more so how the Congress works. Directions must have gone after consultations between Sonia Gandhi, MMS, Chidu, Shinde and Mukherjee, and only then would have Pranab Mukherjee given a nod.